A senior medical secretary performs a combination of administrative duties and nursing care. Working in a doctor's office or hospital department, he will interact with patients, doctors and insurers to ensure appointments and billing run smoothly. A one-year certificate program from a community college or vocational school qualifies a medical secretary to work in a doctor's office. With two to three years of experience and additional education, he can work up to the title of senior medical secretary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical secretaries make an average of $32,000 annually. This salary can increase with experience and special skills, like a second language.

Office Manager

A senior medical secretary working in a doctor's office may take on the responsibilities of keeping the office running. This can include ordering medical supplies for the examination rooms, coordinating work schedules for the other medical secretaries, and making travel arrangements for doctors. In smaller offices, the senior medical secretary may answer phone calls and book patient appointments.

Patient Care

A senior medical secretary plays an important part in getting a patient ready to see the doctor, taking the patient's vital signs, medical history and information about the current complaint. If the patient requires tests, hospitalization or a followup visit, the senior medical secretary also coordinates the necessary paperwork.

Paperwork

Completing paperwork is a large part of any medical secretary's job. The senior medical secretary completes patient charts, insurance forms, correspondence, medical reports and any other documentation the doctor requires. Medical secretaries can take a two-year degree program that includes specialized courses in medical terminology, billing and coding.

Insurance

Senior medical secretaries interact with insurance companies often to ensure patient billing is completed and submitted correctly. Before any large procedures are done, the senior medical secretary may be responsible for getting authorization from the patient's insurance company. They may have to submit bills and paperwork to the insurance company and make calls to follow up. If patients have questions or issues with billing, the senior medical secretary will look into them. Medical secretaries who wish to highlight their skills in billing and coding can become certified professional secretaries by taking a test from the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

About the Author

Melissa Samaroo is a writer based in Florida. She is the author of "The Complete Dictionary of Insurance Terms, Explained Simply," "The Complete Guide to Building Backyard Ponds, Fountains and Waterfalls for Homeowners: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply" and "The Complete Guide to Writing a Successful Screenplay: Everything You Need to Know to Write and Sell a Winning Script."

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